Internet Addiction

Internet Addiction

1) Using online services every day.
2) Losing track of time after making a connection.
3) Going out less and less.
4) Spending less and less time on meals at home or at work, and eating in front of the monitor.

If these sound like you, click here.

"Although the new electronic media are frequently criticized for their so-called addictive qualities, little empirical evidence has been found to support the assertion that heavy media use is psychologically or physiologically addictive."

You, or someone you know, may have difficulty controlling Internet use. Your course work may be suffering, or you may find that your friends stop calling or you talk to them only via e-mail or in a chat room.

For an Internet addiction test, click here.

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), sometimes called Pathological Internet Use (PIU), is a maladaptive pattern of Internet use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. Dependent computer users show a strong preference for interactive applications like chat rooms and Multi-User Dimensions (MUDs).

Non-dependent computer users demonstrate heavy usage of Internet applications such as e-mail and the World Wide Web.

The most commonly reported impairment is academic, the second most reported is relationship, and the third is financial. Students seem to be particularly vulnerable.

Internet Addiction Survey

Problems and how to cope with computer addiction

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